Submucosal electrocoagulation for prolapsed hemorrhoids:a new operative approach to hemorrhoidal varices

The results of submucosal electrocoagulation (SEC), a new radical operation for prolapsed hemorrhoids, in 403 patients with third- or fourth-degree hemorrhoids are reported. After resecting the anal skin tags that coexisted with prolapsed hemorrhoids, the hemorrhoidal varices could be resected and electrically coagulated through the wound without cutting the anal canal epithelium by using a fine needle-type electric knife. The results of this series indicated that SEC could dramatically reduce the incidence of the postoperative complications that sometimes occur after conventional hemorrhoidectomy, such as severe anal pain, massive anal bleeding and anal stenosis. Moreover, SEC could ensure that operated patients make an early return to social activities and have a satisfactory quality of life. Relapse of prolapsed hemorrhoids after SEC was rare.